Has your Dodge Ram 1500 been acting up lately? Are you experiencing noise, bumpy ride, uneven ride adjustment, or problems with resetting? Then, you can be sure that you have a Ram 1500 air suspension problem.
Things can get really complicated if the suspension becomes faulty, and fixing a mighty vehicle like the Ram 1500 can be a pain in your back (literally). However, since taking the vehicle to a mechanic and fixing it can be pretty costly, it is best to check and fix the issues on your own.
So, if you are up to saving some money, you should check out this article. I have shared the common air suspension issues, how to identify, and solve them, along with some necessary tips.
RAM 1500 Air Suspension Problems: Quick Solution
| Problems | Solutions |
| Airbag Leakage: | Replace the airbag. |
| Noisy Air Compressor: | Take the vehicle to a professional mechanic. |
| Slow Ride Adjustment: | Check the compressor bracket and get it fixed by a professional mechanic. |
| Failure To Adjust Ride Height: | Replace the airbag/tighten the loose sensor connector. |
| Unable To Self-Reset After Repair: | Reset the system manually. |
| Compressor Malfunction Due To Cold Weather: | Check the fuse and valve and replace them if necessary. Use antifreeze as a preventive measure. |
| System Malfunction Due To Moisture: | Check the seal and gasket. Perform timely inspection and maintenance. |
| Damaged Suspension: | Replace the suspension. |
RAM 1500 Air Suspension Problems & Solutions: A Detailed Discussion
The problems mentioned above have particular causes behind them. In the following parts, I have discussed the issues in more detail, broken down the causes, and elaborated on how you can resolve the issues.
1. Airbag Leakage
One or multiple leaks from the airbag are one of the most common causes behind the air suspected issues. Since the material is soft and flexible, it can get torn or punctured easily and cause air leakage. But how do you know that you have an airbag issue?
Well, you will notice that the truck stays slightly tilted when you drive. Also, the rides will get bumpier.
The best way to know if there is a leak is to test the airbags. For that,
- Remove the dust off the airbag using a brush or vacuum cleaner.
- Then, spray a solution of water and soap/dishwater.
- Listen for a hissing sound or air bubbles on the airbag.
If there is a noise of air leaking or bubbles accumulating, you have a leaked airbag.
Solution
The only best solution to this problem is to replace the faulty airbag. The process is pretty complex. So, I would recommend taking the truck to the dealer and getting it replaced by a professional.
2. Noisy Air Compressor
As the vehicle adjusts its ride height, it causes the compressor to take in air. That’s the noise you usually hear when riding your RAM 1500 or any other vehicle. Over time, it is natural for you to get used to the noise, which is bearable. However, if it seems that the noise is unusually loud, it is a sign of an air compressor problem.
Park the car and check if you still hear a loud noise. If you do, the compressor has a high-pressure issue, which causes the vehicle to compress more air.
Remember that the RAM 1500 is a heavy-duty truck. And the truck going through more pressure can be a concerning thing.
Solution
If the issue is with the compressor and due to an air pressure problem, it is best to let a professional handle it. Sometimes, the noise is caused by a lack of clutch. So if you don’t have one or the old one turns out damaged, you need to get a new clutch replacement.
3. Slow Ride Height Adjustment
Another commonly known way to learn if your RAM 1500 has an air compressor problem is by testing for nose dive or trying the bounce test. The nosedive is when the truck’s back stays hoisted upward while the front remains downward, creating an odd position, which makes the ride uncomfortable and bouncy.
If you don’t see that, you can try the bouncy test to confirm the ride height issue. To do that, walk around each corner of your vehicle and push it downward really hard. Do the same for all 4 corners and inspect how they lift back up.
If the corners return to normal positions, the compressor is fine. On the other hand, if they lift slowly, that’s a slow ride height adjustment, and your truck has a compressor issue.
The underlying reason why your truck has a slow ride height adjustment issue is likely because of the compressor bracket issue. Over time, the bracket gets rusty or sometimes gets damaged.
Solution
Check on the compressor bracket first. If it seems rusty, you can try cleaning it up, though I doubt it will help. And if the bracket seems damaged, broken, or tangled into something, it is best to take the truck to an experienced mechanic.
4. Failure To Adjust Ride Height Automatically
The ride height adjustment system of a RAM 1500 is meant to adjust according to the road and your driving condition. However, if the vehicle fails to adjust ride height automatically, it indicates more than one underlying cause.
First of all, the airbag could be damaged, or perhaps you are using the wrong lift kit. Moreover, it is not unusual for the ride height to act up if the sensor has a loose wire.
Solution
Test the airbag, as I explained previously. If the airbag is damaged, you need to get it replaced. Make sure to use the right lifting kit. If none of these are the cause, check the sensor wiring or connector and see if it has come loose. If that turns out to be the culprit, tightening the wire will easily resolve the issue.
5. Unable To Self-Reset After Repair
The self-reset feature of your RAM 1500 keeps its ride height adjusted automatically. But if that’s not working, it indicates an air compressor problem. If you have replaced the airbag or the compressor recently, the self-reset system may fail to work.
However, there are other relatable causes, such as improper wiring, tear in the air spring, software not being up to date, etc.
Solution
If the system does not reset automatically, you have to do it manually. Here are 3 different ways to do that.
- Use The Suspension Button: Get on your vehicle and turn the ignition on. But do not start the engine. Then, press and hold the suspension button for at least 40 seconds. It will reset the system.
- Change The Settings:As I mentioned before, turn on the ignition and go to the display panel. Select Transport or the Wheel Alignment mode. Once the system resets, you can set everything back to normal mode.
- Disconnect And Reconnect The Battery: Remove the negative cable from the battery’s negative terminal. Leave the battery disconnected for at least 30 seconds. Then, reconnect the cable to the negative terminal. And the system reset already.
Doing these won’t guarantee the issue will be resolved because it can be caused by something else. So, if nothing works, take the truck to a mechanic.
6. Compressor Malfunction Due To Cold Weather
The air suspensions in RAM 1500 are pretty sensitive to low temperatures or freezing weather. The suspension becomes even more sensitive as it gets older, and the moving parts become more fragile due to the cold weather.
It often causes various issues, such as a damaged valve or blown fuse. As a result, you notice visible changes in how the suspension and the vehicle perform.
Solution
In this case, pull the fuse out of the box and inspect the metal part of the fuse. If the fuse is blown or damaged, you need to replace it. If the fuse seems fine, check the valve next. Does it appear to be clogged?
If the valve is clogged and the compressor is still working, it is still dangerous. You should also check the lever button and see if it is blue. If it is, you have a relay issue, and you must let a professional should test it.
And here is something else you can do to prevent this issue or minimize it as much as possible. Use antifreeze, especially if the temperature is below -20. Pour a generous amount of antifreeze into the filter tube before starting the engine.
7. System Malfunction Due To Moisture
When the compressor’s seal wears off, moisture gets into the system easily. The compressor system has a dryer feature that prevents moisture from traveling further inside. But as the parts get old, the dryer fails to resist moisture like before.
So, if the situation continues, moisture can cause rust or corrosion. And the gaskets will not work properly. So naturally, the entire compressor system will collapse at some point.
Solution
Repairing the seal is the only way to prevent moisture from penetrating the system. You must also check if the gasket is functioning properly. To ensure all these, it is essential to take the vehicle for timely maintenance.
8. Faulty Suspension
Sometimes, the problem is not here or there. If you are having an air compression issue, it could be because the suspension has gone bad. It could be because your truck has been through rough driving or the suspension is too old to function.
Solution
Whether you have a damaged suspension or an expired one, the only way you can fix the problem is to replace the suspension. So talk to your dealer about it and get the best suspension for your RAM 1500.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Or Replace RAM Air Suspension?
All RAM models have interconnected parts and equipment. It means that if you are fixing a suspension issue, the mechanic has to handle other parts to ensure nothing else gets damaged along the way.
On top of that, fixing or replacing the parts depends on how bad the problem is, whether you need to replace the entire system or specific parts, your vehicle model, parts number, availability, mechanic’s reputation, etc. So, naturally, repairing a RAM suspension is costly.
Nevertheless, it costs around $1000-$1300 for a RAM 1500 suspension replacement. The cost can be slightly affordable if you replace it with third-party or aftermarket replacement parts.
Is It Safe To Drive RAM With An Air Compressor Issue?
I will highly discourage driving with an air suspension issue. And I’m sure any other experienced people will agree with me. As much as it is unsafe to drive the vehicle in such a condition, you are likely to cause more damage to the compression. As a result, it will lead to a more expensive repair.
On top of that, riding the vehicle will no longer be comfortable. So it would be best to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
How to Solve RAM Air Suspension Issue
Final Words
The RAM 1500 air suspension problems do not happen overnight. It certainly takes a while to realize that something is wrong and the suspension is malfunctioning. Not being able to recognize them sooner can lead to more severe problems, and the repair cost will end up high.
However, now that you know what causes the problems and how to recognize or diagnose them, you can fix them accordingly. But if you are confused and not sure what to do, let an experienced mechanic take over and resolve the air suspension issues.
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